Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya took on one of the toughest tasks in franchise cricket when he was asked by the franchise bosses to take on the leadership role. As simple as it sounds, leading a team with as many superstars as Mumbai is not an easy ride. The pressure to match the legacy of Rohit Sharma, who led the franchise to five titles in a decade, coupled with the challenge of proving the owners’ decision on his appointment as captain, is immense. It is fair to say that Hardik has failed to rise to the challenge in the two matches that Mumbai Indians have played so far.
With MI traveling home for the next match against Rajasthan Royals after the first two games away, the task doesn’t get any easier for Hardik as some of the team’s loyal supporters are expected to welcome their new captain Hardik with boos . cheering.
Hardik may be able to keep the fans’ anger over his appointment as skipper away from his on-field responsibilities, but he will undoubtedly be hit by the negative sentiment. While there seems to be no quick fix to the solution, it is only his predecessor, Rohit Sharma, who can get the fans to change their tune.
Remember when Virat Kohli made fans stop booing Steve Smith at the Adelaide Oval? The Australian star was ruthlessly attacked by a section of Indian fans at the venue, prompting Virat to intervene and urge them to stop it. The fans indeed listened and even Smith was grateful to Kohli for the gesture.
Virat Kohli requests his fans not to boo Steve Smith and instead applaud him for his stunning comeback. pic.twitter.com/64cvbf9Cop
—Jay. (@peak_Ability14) August 2, 2020
After the infamous altercation with Lucknow Super Giants pacer Naveen-ul-Haq in the 2023 IPL season, Kohli recently caused the fans who booed the Afghan pacer to do a 180-degree turn. The Indian stalwart asked fans to stop booing the Afghan seamer during a T20 against Afghanistan earlier this year. Once again the crowd listened and what happened between the two cricketers became a part of history.
As Mumbai Indians take on Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Rohit Sharma can also put the whole captaincy fiasco on the line by talking to the fans of the franchise itself.
The owners have decided to continue with Hardik as skipper. Rohit, who may not be completely happy with the decision, has also accepted the fact. Now it’s up to the Hitman to reach the hearts of the fans who admire him a lot and change the perception they have about Hardik Pandya.
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